Liam Livingstone believes he has done everything possible to be available for England’s opening match at the T20 World Cup, although his efforts have been hampered by their hectic build-up.
The all-rounder faced around three months on the sidelines after suffering significant ligament damage to his left ankle when stumbling over a kerb while he was out for breakfast in late August.
He was ruled out of the latter stages of The Hundred and England’s white-ball series wins in Pakistan and Australia but, seven weeks on, he is in consideration to face Afghanistan in Perth on Saturday.
However, having linked up with England in Australia a couple of weeks ago, he has had to take extra precautions during a cycle of flights from Perth to Canberra to Brisbane, then back to Perth.
He explained: “There’s only so far you can push it before it swells up and knocks you back a couple of days. Flying hasn’t made it the easiest. I have to compress it every time I fly.
“It’s just the physios wrapping it up in bandages just so it doesn’t swell up. The swelling’s what limits my range of movement, which makes it a little more painful to train on.
“So I’ll be pretty much training every morning and icing all afternoon. It’s been niggly but there’s a World Cup for England to play for so all the boring days are worth it.
“I’ve done everything I can to make sure I’m fit and available for Saturday. I’m pretty happy with where I’m at and we’ve still got another few days before the first game.”
England have played 10 competitive matches in the last month so there was some consternation at having to play a low-key World Cup warm-up in Brisbane on Monday before a cross-country flight to Perth.
I’ve still got some work batting-wise but I’m pretty close to where I want to be— Liam Livingstone
Their mood would hardly have improved as Reece Topley was ruled out of the tournament with a left ankle injury of his own during fielding drills ahead of England’s six-wicket win over Pakistan.
However, Livingstone, who holds the record for the fastest century by an England batter off 42 balls, made his comeback, taking a tidy one for eight from two overs before blazing 28 from 16 deliveries.
One of his two sixes landed on the Gabba roof, underlining his status as one of the cleanest and biggest hitters, but there was a minor alarm in his innings when he tripped over while turning around.
“I didn’t really want to go hell for leather,” he said. “I pretty much played at 90 per cent. I just wanted to make sure I got back to cricket and got through my bowling, which has been my main worry.
“My batting’s been fine since pretty much when I started back to cricket, the turning and stuff was going to be difficult, so to have a slip on it and to feel all right is a bit of a confidence booster.
“I’ve still got some work batting-wise but I’m close to where I want to be.”
While he seems to be in a shootout with Harry Brook for a middle-order spot this weekend, England may adopt caution with Livingstone considering he has only just returned and their healthy batting resources.
“I haven’t looked at it,” Livingstone added when asked whether he is competing with Brook for a place in England’s XI.
“Brooky is a phenomenal player and everybody is happy he’s come into this squad and added a lot of value.
“We’ve got a lot of talent in our team, a lot of match-winners, and whatever combination we go with everybody will be putting their best foot forward to win World Cup games for England.”
